Country Lore: Use Pine Needles as a Slug Repellent

By Angela Smith
Published on May 21, 2009
article image
PHOTO: ANDI TARANCZUK/FOTOLIA
Let the slugs ooze around in the grass, not your garden. Spread some pine needles around and they'll stay away; slug repellent needn't be lethal, just unpleasant.

After years of trial and error with methods to keep slugs from eating my vegetable garden plants, I finally discovered a workable slug repellent. The discovery was an accident: I was sitting on the ground under a tree and leaned back on my hand — ouch! The dry, sharp pine needles poked into my palm.

I sprinkled the dry needles around each plant and did not have any more losses due to slugs.

Angela Smith
Duluth, MN

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368